Jared Gaither's release would always cost the Chargers $6 million in dead money against the salary cap.

While that hasn't changed, they team exercised an option that spreads the impact over two years.

The left tackle's Wednesday release came with a June 1 designation. The provision means that for the next two-plus months, Gaither will count against the salary cap for $6.5 million, just as he would if still on the roster.

He was due a $4.5 million base salary. The other $2 million is the annual prorated portion of his $8 million signing bonus received in a four-year contract last year.

After June 1, the Chargers see immediate cap savings.

The base salary is removed from the books, meaning Gaither will cost only $2 million against the 2013 salary cap. In 2014, the remaining $4 million of Gaither's prorated bonus will count in dead money.

Gaither would have cost $6 million in dead money in 2013 without the June 1 designation.